Strauss celebrates Test ton

Andrew Strauss completed a Test century on Friday, an achievement which had eluded him in his previous 25 attempts over the past 18 months.

Not since Strauss' second-innings 110 in the famous Ashes-opening draw in November 2010 had the England captain managed to add to his 19 hundreds at the highest level.

But he did this time - reaching the milestone with a favourite square-cut, off opposite number Darren Sammy, for his 17th four from 213 balls - as the hosts moved to an ominous 204 for two in reply to West Indies' 243 all out, on the second evening of the first Investec Test at Lord's.

Strauss (101no) received a mid-pitch hug from his third-wicket partner Kevin Pietersen, before acknowledging the applause and goodwill from his home crowd.

He has moved up to joint-fourth, alongside Pietersen, in the all-time list of England's most prolific centurions.

He was also recording his fifth at Lord's, putting himself level with Pietersen on that score too and behind only former England captains Michael Vaughan and Graham Gooch.

After the loss of his opening partner Alastair Cook in the morning session, Strauss shared a stand of 147 with Jonathan Trott (58) as the tourists struggled to remain competitive on a benign pitch but under cloudy, floodlit skies.